Medication Administration in Pediatric Nursing: A Comprehensive Guide for Nurses

Question 1

In pediatric nursing, which principle is essential for safe medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Verifying patient identity, medication, and dosage (the three rights)

Answer

Diluting all medications before administration

Answer

Administering medications on an empty stomach

Answer

Accepting all physician medication orders without question

Question 2

In a pediatric patient, which of the following are early signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Accepted Answer

Hives, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, and hypotension

Answer

Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain

Answer

Fever, chills, and headache

Question 3

When calculating a medication dosage for a pediatric patient, which of the following factors should be considered?

Accepted Answer

Body weight and age

Answer

Gender only

Answer

Race only

Answer

Height only

Question 4

Which of the following is a fundamental principle for safe medication administration?

Accepted Answer

The five rights of medication administration

Answer

Relying solely on the patient's medication list

Answer

Giving medications as frequently as possible

Answer

Administering medications via the fastest route

Question 5

Which of the following is a potential complication specifically associated with intravenous medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Extravasation

Answer

Skin rash

Answer

Constipation

Answer

Bruising

Question 6

When administering oral medications to a pediatric patient, it is essential to:

Accepted Answer

Use a calibrated measuring device, such as a medication cup or oral syringe

Answer

Mix the medication with milk

Answer

Dilute the medication in juice

Answer

Crush the medication into food

Question 7

Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the nurse when administering medications to children?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring the patient for adverse reactions

Answer

Prescribing the medication

Answer

Transcribing the medication order

Answer

Purchasing the medication from the pharmacy

Question 8

When documenting medication administration, it is crucial to include:

Accepted Answer

The date, time, dose, route, patient response, and nurse's signature

Answer

The patient's diagnosis

Answer

The physician's orders

Answer

The nurse's name only

Question 9

Which of the following routes of medication administration is used less commonly in pediatric nursing compared to adults?

Accepted Answer

Intradermal

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Oral

Question 10

For children, which method of medication dosage calculation considers individual variations in metabolism and drug response?

Accepted Answer

Weight-based dosing

Answer

Age-based dosing

Answer

Fixed dosing

Answer

Body surface area dosing

Question 11

During a child's medication assessment, which factor is least relevant to consider?

Accepted Answer

Handedness

Answer

Weight

Answer

Medical history

Answer

Allergies

Question 12

What is the primary purpose of the "five rights" check in medication administration?

Accepted Answer

To prevent medication errors by ensuring accuracy in patient identification, medication selection, dosage, route, and time of administration.

Answer

To document medication administration

Answer

To calculate the medication dosage

Question 13

Which medication commonly used in pediatric nursing is considered a high-alert medication due to its potential for serious adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Albuterol

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Acetaminophen

Question 14

At what temperature range should refrigerated medications be stored to maintain their stability and effectiveness?

Accepted Answer

2-8 degrees Celsius

Answer

15-25 degrees Celsius

Answer

30-35 degrees Celsius

Answer

10-15 degrees Celsius

Question 15

Despite efforts to prevent them, medication errors remain a common occurrence in healthcare settings. What is a contributing factor to this?

Accepted Answer

The complex nature of medication administration processes and the potential for human error

Answer

Medication errors are always preventable.

Answer

Medication errors are more likely to occur in hospitals than in other healthcare settings.

Question 16

What is the primary responsibility of the nurse in medication reconciliation?

Accepted Answer

To obtain a complete and accurate list of the patient's medications, including those prescribed, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements, and to compare it to the medication orders to identify and resolve any discrepancies.

Answer

To monitor the patient for adverse effects of medications.

Answer

To administer medications as prescribed.

Question 17

Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of medication non-adherence?

Accepted Answer

Treatment failure, leading to disease progression or worsening of symptoms

Answer

Increased patient satisfaction

Answer

Improved quality of life

Answer

Reduced healthcare costs

Question 18

Why is patient education an essential component of medication administration?

Accepted Answer

To empower patients to actively participate in their own healthcare, improve medication adherence, and promote positive health outcomes.

Answer

To reduce the risk of medication errors

Answer

To document compliance with medication orders

Question 19

When administering oral medications, the nurse should instruct the patient to:

Accepted Answer

Place the tablet at the back of their tongue and swallow it with water

Answer

Allow the tablet to dissolve under their tongue

Answer

Crush the tablet and mix it with juice

Question 20

When calculating medication dosages for children, it is essential to consider:

Accepted Answer

The child's weight and age

Answer

The child's height

Answer

The child's favorite flavor of medication

Answer

The adult dosage

Question 21

When administering eye drops to a child, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Pull down the lower eyelid and instill the drops into the conjunctival sac

Answer

Apply the drops directly to the cornea

Answer

Tilt the child's head back and instill the drops into the inner corner of the eye

Question 22

A 20-kg child is prescribed amoxicillin 150 mg every 8 hours. The available suspension is 125 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should be administered per dose?

Accepted Answer

6 mL

Answer

10 mL

Answer

8 mL

Answer

4 mL

Question 23

Which route of medication administration typically results in the fastest onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Oral

Question 24

For a 2-year-old child, which site is the most appropriate for a subcutaneous injection?

Accepted Answer

Anterior thigh

Answer

Ventrogluteal

Answer

Dorsogluteal

Answer

Deltoid

Question 25

Which of the following is a common indication that a patient may be experiencing an adverse drug reaction?

Accepted Answer

Rash

Answer

Elevated heart rate

Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Improved sleep quality

Question 26

Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a nurse when administering medications?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the right patient receives the right medication, at the right time, in the right dose, and by the right route

Answer

Interpreting physician's orders

Question 27

Which of the following routes of medication administration is most rapid?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 28

What is the purpose of calculating a patient's weight in kilograms before administering a medication?

Accepted Answer

To ensure accurate medication dosing based on the patient's body weight

Answer

To determine the patient's fluid requirements

Answer

To assess the patient's nutritional status

Question 29

Which of the following is a potential sign of an allergic reaction to a medication?

Accepted Answer

Rash, hives, or itching

Answer

Increased blood pressure

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Drowsiness

Question 30

Which of the following should be documented in the medication administration record (MAR) when administering an antibiotic to a pediatric patient?

Accepted Answer

Time and date of administration

Answer

Patient's weight

Answer

Nurse's name

Answer

Patient's appetite

Question 31

When calculating a medication dosage for a child who weighs 20 kg, the prescribed dose for an adult is 500 mg and the recommended pediatric dosage is 20 mg/kg, what is the appropriate dose for the child?

Accepted Answer

400 mg

Answer

250 mg

Answer

750 mg

Answer

600 mg

Question 32

What is the most important assessment to perform before administering an intramuscular injection to a child?

Accepted Answer

Aspirating the syringe

Answer

Inspecting the injection site

Answer

Verifying the patient's identity

Answer

Confirming the medication order

Question 33

Which of the following routes of medication administration is most appropriate for a child with a known allergy to latex?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Intravenous

Question 34

What is an important consideration when administering medications to children with cardiac conditions?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for arrhythmias

Answer

Diluting medications in larger volumes

Answer

Using a smaller needle size

Answer

Administering medications slowly

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT an indication for the use of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump in pediatric patients?

Accepted Answer

Pain management in the post-operative setting

Answer

Chronic pain management

Answer

Severe pain that is not relieved by oral medications

Answer

Procedural sedation

Question 36

What is the maximum volume of medication that can be safely administered through an endotracheal tube?

Accepted Answer

5 mL

Answer

10 mL

Answer

20 mL

Answer

15 mL

Question 37

Which of the following is a potential risk associated with the use of enteral feeding tubes for medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Clogging of the feeding tube

Answer

None of the above

Answer

Delayed drug action

Answer

Increased absorption of oral medications

Question 38

When should the nurse notify the healthcare provider after administering a medication?

Accepted Answer

When the patient experiences an adverse reaction

Answer

When the medication is administered by a different route than ordered

Answer

When the medication is not available

Answer

When the patient refuses to take the medication

Question 39

When administering an intramuscular injection to a toddler, the appropriate needle length is:

Accepted Answer

1 inch (25 mm)

Answer

1.5 inches (38 mm)

Answer

2.5 inches (64 mm)

Answer

2 inches (51 mm)

Question 40

Which of the following is a potential complication of subcutaneous medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Skin irritation

Answer

Anaphylaxis

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypotension

Question 41

When calculating medication dosage for children, which of the following is the most accurate method?

Accepted Answer

Body weight

Answer

Height

Answer

Age

Answer

Body surface area

Question 42

Which of the following actions is appropriate before administering any medication?

Accepted Answer

Checking the patient's allergies

Answer

Drawing up the medication

Answer

Explaining the medication to the patient's parents

Answer

Documenting the medication

Question 43

When administering an oral medication to an infant, it is important to:

Accepted Answer

Place the medication in the back of the infant's mouth

Answer

Mix the medication with breast milk

Answer

Tilt the infant's head back

Question 44

Which of the following is a responsibility of the nurse after administering a medication?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring the patient for adverse effects

Answer

Preparing the patient for discharge

Answer

Calculating the next dose

Answer

Documenting the medication

Question 45

When administering an intravenous medication, the appropriate rate of infusion is typically determined by:

Accepted Answer

The patient's weight and the medication's half-life

Answer

The patient's age and gender

Answer

The nurse's discretion

Question 46

Before administering a medication, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Verify the five rights of medication administration

Answer

Obtain consent from the patient's parents

Answer

Calculate the patient's weight

Question 47

Which of the following medications requires special handling?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy drugs

Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Pain relievers

Answer

Vitamins